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Saturday, November 26, 2011

The objective of the study was to treat fatigue in MS'ers by a neurocognitive rehabilitation program aimed at improving motor planning by using motor imagery (MI). 20 MS'ers complaining of fatigue were treated for 5 weeks with exercises of neurocognitive rehabilitation twice a week. MS'ers were evaluated by Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), MSQoL54, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and MS Functional Composite (MSFC).

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After treatment, a decrease in fatigue was detected with both FSS (P = 0.0001) and MFIS (P = 0.0001). MSFC (P = 0.035) and MSQoL54 (P = 0.002) scores improved compared to baseline. At six-month followup, the improvement was confirmed for fatigue (FSS, P = 0.0001; MFIS P = 0.01) and for the physical subscale of MSQoL54 (P = 0.049). No differences in disability scales were found. These results show that neurocognitive rehabilitation, based on MI, could be a strategy to treat fatigue in MS patients.

Disclaimer: 'MS Views and News' (MSVN), does not endorse any products or services found on this blog. It is up to you to seek advice from your healthcare provider. The intent of this blog is to provide information on various medical conditions, medications, treatments, and procedures for your personal knowledge and to keep you informed of current health-related issues. It is not intended to be complete or exhaustive, nor is it a substitute for the advice of your physician. Should you or your family members have any specific medical problem, seek medical care promptly.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Multiple Sclerosis Research Center of New York (MSRCNY) and the International Cellular Medicine Society (ICMS) jointly announced today the ICMS Institutional Review Board's (IRB) approval of the first study to use autologous brain-like or neural stem cells for multiple sclerosis.

"We are entering a whole new world of possibilities for our patients" said Dr. Saud A. Sadiq, Neurologist and Director of the MSRCNY. "This initial stem cell treatment strategy opens up new avenues of treatment options focused on repair and regeneration that didn't exist before." Dr. Sadiq added, "We are delighted that the ICMS has approved our study and feel both the MSRCNY and the ICMS share the basic ideology of advancing safe and effective treatment in addressing patient needs."

Disclaimer: 'MS Views and News' (MSVN), does not endorse any products or services found on this blog. It is up to you to seek advice from your healthcare provider. The intent of this blog is to provide information on various medical conditions, medications, treatments, and procedures for your personal knowledge and to keep you informed of current health-related issues. It is not intended to be complete or exhaustive, nor is it a substitute for the advice of your physician. Should you or your family members have any specific medical problem, seek medical care promptly.

One of the topics I get asked about often is urinary tract health. Many people (mostly women) experienceUrinary Tract Infections (UTIs) from time to time and they want to know if there is anything they can do naturally to keep a bladder infection at bay.

A few years back I was suffering from recurrent bladder infections (3+ in one year!) and hated having to take antibiotics. When you truly need antibiotics they can literally be a lifesaver, however it is well known that antibiotics are vastly over prescribed in the United States and the overuse is detrimental for individuals and the public at large.

After drowning myself in jugs and jugs or cranberry juice (I even resorted to the unsweetened 100% cranberry juice), my UTI’s persisted. In an effort to avoid another UTI and avoid the antibiotics that oftentimes accompany such an infection, I began researching the issue and discovered that there are steps we can take as well as an amazingly safe natural product we can use when needed to ensure our urinary tract health and avoid infections. As a result of my findings, I have not had a UTI since!

MY MIRACLE

Thankfully my research brought me to Dr. Jonathon Wright. I stumbled upon this post from his Tahoma Clinic blog which discussed the benefits of the simple sugar D-Mannose in the fight against UTIs. With regards to the safety of D-Mannose, Dr. Wright states:

“D-mannose is very safe, even for long term use. D-mannose is a simple sugar, very little of it is metabolized. It doesn’t interfere with blood sugar regulation, even for diabetics. It creates no disruption or imbalance in normal body microflora. It’s safe even for pregnant women and very small children. In the less than 10% of cases where the infection is a bacteria other than E. coli, antibiotics can be started in plenty of time. (Many physicians will likely advise collecting a urine specimen for culture, if possible just before starting D-mannose, so that the bacteria can be identified as rapidly as possible in the few cases when D-mannose doesn’t work.)

WHAT IT IS ANDHOW IT WORKS

As mentioned above, D-Mannose is a simple sugar that occurs naturally in both cranberries and pineapples. Since very little of the sugar is metabolized by our bodies, most of it is excreted through our urine.

So what does this have to do with UTIs and how can it help cure them? The bacterium that causes most UTIs is called Escherichia coli (“E. coli”). When we become infected with a UTI most often it is caused by bacteria called Escherichia coli (“E. coli”). This E. coli likes to attach itself to the walls of our bladder which causes a multitude of problems. Fortunately for us E. Coli LOVES D-Mannose. When we drink water that has been mixed with D-Mannose, the D-Mannose makes its way to our bladder and the E. Coli lets go of our bladder wall and grabs on to the D-Mannose. When we urinate the E. Coli leaves our body. I am amazed by how simple and effective this remedy is.

Whenever I feel that I may be coming down with a UTI, I drink water with D-Mannose and I do not get one! I travel with D-Mannose…I am that big of a believer.

D-MANNOSE DOSING

The usual dose for D-Mannose powder is 1/2 teaspoonful (2 1/2 grams) stirred into water every 2 to 4 hours. If the infection is not substantially better within 24 hours, it is probably not being caused by E.coli. in which case it is recommended that you contact your regular physician.

My favorite brand of D-mannose is by pure encapsulations (click here for more information). I always keep a container or two in my home.

ADDITIONAL PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

In addition to Dr. Wright’s suggestion to utilize D-Mannose, Dr. Joseph Mercola suggests that there are simple steps you can take to help promote a healthy urinary tract:

Drink plenty of water every day – this dilutes your urine and helps you regularly flush your system.

Urinate when you feel the need. Don’t resist the urge to go.

For women, wipe from front to back and use unscented and unbleached toilet paper as many young women react to the dyes and chemicals in other toilet papers.

Take showers instead of baths.

Cleanse your genital area prior to and after sexual intercourse.

Urinate after intercourse to flush out your urinary tract.

Avoid feminine deodorant sprays, douches, and powders that can lead to irritation of the urethra and genitals.

Only use cotton sanitary napkins and tampons. 97% of women believe they are made of cotton, but the truth is LESS THAN one percent actually is.

I hope these tips are as helpful to you as they have been for me. Bladder infections are no fun!

Disclaimer: 'MS Views and News' (MSVN), does not endorse any products or services found on this blog. It is up to you to seek advice from your healthcare provider. The intent of this blog is to provide information on various medical conditions, medications, treatments, and procedures for your personal knowledge and to keep you informed of current health-related issues. It is not intended to be complete or exhaustive, nor is it a substitute for the advice of your physician. Should you or your family members have any specific medical problem, seek medical care promptly.

When you think your life is just the pits, stop and read this again and again....

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In 1970, when I first developed M.S. symptoms, I lived in Shillington, near Reading, Pennsylvania. My employer's fear of chronic illness ended my career, but I still drove my car and did my own shopping when I could.

There was a little market near home. The first time I went there, my balance and dexterity were affected and I dropped a can, which rolled across the floor. I had considerable trouble retrieving it, dropping it several times in my struggle. Once I had the can firmly in hand, I couldn't get up from my knees! One of the "bagboys" helped me.

I continued shopping but when it came time to "check out", the lines were pretty long. Well, wouldn't you know it, I lost my balance and those racks of candy and gum always placed near the check out lines were knocked off on the floor -- candy and gum scattering and rolling everywhere! I tried to pick it up, but kept losing my balance and dropping or spilling them again and again.

Seeing my distress, the owner/manager helped me up, got me through the checkout line and bagged my groceries. He took my car keys and drove my car right up to the door and loaded everything into the trunk for me!

I was so pleased that I returned again and again to that store. Always, someone was there to help me. As I pushed the cart, and looked at an item, things appeared in it as if by magic. My helper checked me through the line immediately and always helped me to the car - often bringing the car up to the door for me. Some years later I moved 10 miles away but I continued to come back to the same store despite the long drive. I always felt special there because of their help and courtesy I told lots of friends about the little market but no one reported the special treatment and made me feel almost as if I was making up a story. But over at least 12 - 15 years I'd enjoyed shopping there.

About that time my teenaged daughter began to date a young man from town. I heard them laughing in the other room and she called me, saying "Mom! You've got to hear this!" The young man (I've forgotten his name after all these years) was beet red with embarrassment, spluttering: "No, don't tell your mother! Please, don't!"

She told me anyway, and much to his relief I fell to the floor laughing till the tears ran down my cheeks!

It seems that he'd just gotten a job at the little market where I liked to shop. Recently I'd been in and he was stocking shelves when the manager came over and said to him: "See that lady over there? No matter what you are doing, leave it. Help her. Open a new cash register. Take her groceries out of the cart. Help her to the car or bring the car to the door."

"Why all the special care?" he asked his manager.

"Son, she's the town drunk and we want her in and out of here as fast as possible!"

Did I go back there to shop? You bet! Would you give up that kind of service?

Disclaimer: 'MS Views and News' (MSVN), does not endorse any products or services found on this blog. It is up to you to seek advice from your healthcare provider. The intent of this blog is to provide information on various medical conditions, medications, treatments, and procedures for your personal knowledge and to keep you informed of current health-related issues. It is not intended to be complete or exhaustive, nor is it a substitute for the advice of your physician. Should you or your family members have any specific medical problem, seek medical care promptly.

Monday, November 21, 2011

An MS Patient provides her thoughts and frustrations with Multiple Sclerosis

Having Multiple Sclerosis means many things change, and a lot of them are invisible. Unlike having cancer or being hurt in an accident, most people do not understand Multiple Sclerosis and its effects. Of the people who think they know, many are misinformed. In the spirit of informing those who wish to understand... these are the things I would like you to understand about me before you judge me...

Please understand that just because I have Multiple Sclerosis doesn’t mean I am not still a human being. Some days I spend in extreme exhaustion. At times, sleeping for fourteen hours is all that will alleviate my symptoms. I get so tired. These emotions are all very strong and powerful. If you talk to me, and I might not seem like much fun to be with, remember I am still me. I am just stuck inside this body. I still worry about work, home life, my family and friends.

Please understand that Multiple Sclerosis is unpredictable. One day I may be able to do anything, while the next I may have trouble getting out of bed. Please don’t attack me when I’m having a bad day by saying, "But you did it before!!" Please understand that sometimes being able to stand for ten minutes doesn’t necessarily mean I can stand up for twenty minutes, or an hour. Just because I managed to stand up for thirty minutes yesterday, doesn’t mean I will be able to do the same today. This disease gets more confusing.

Multiple Sclerosis isn’t all in my head, and it isn’t contagious. Nobody ever died from Multiple Sclerosis though they might have wished they could on really bad days. I can’t control how often I feel good or how often I feel terrible. Multiple Sclerosis is a condition with lots of different kinds of symptoms. There is no cure for Multiple Sclerosis, and it won’t go away. If I am functioning normally, I am having a good day. I can have good days, weeks or even months. But a good morning can suddenly turn into a terrible afternoon. I get a feeling like someone has pulled out a plug and all my energy has just run out of my body. I might get more irritable before these flare ups and suddenly become more sensitive mentally and physically. Other times there may be no warning. I may just suddenly feel awful. I can’t warn you when this is going to happen because there isn’t any way for me to know. Sometimes this is a real downer, and I’m sorry. If I seem touchy at times, it’s probably because I am. It’s not how I try to be. As a matter of fact, I try very hard to be normal. I hope you understand. I have been and am still going through a lot. Multiple Sclerosis is hard for you to understand unless you have had it. It wreaks havoc on the body and mind. It is exhausting and I am doing my best to cope with this, and I live my life to the best of my ability. I ask you to bear with me and accept me as I am. I know you cannot understand my situation unless you have been in my shoes, but as much as possible, I am asking you to try to be understanding.

Please understand the difference between "happy" and "healthy." When you have the flu, you probably feel miserable with it, but I have a condition that doesn’t leave. I can’t be miserable all the time. In fact, I work hard at not being miserable. Just because I sound good, doesn’t mean I feel good. I make myself be happy. That’s all. It doesn’t mean that I’m not in pain or extremely tired. It doesn’t mean I am getting better or any of those things. Please don’t say, "Oh, you’re sounding good!" or "Oh, you look good!"

I am not sounding good, I am sounding happy. Because I feel bad at times, I am always pushing myself, and sometimes I push myself too hard. When I do this, I normally pay the price. Emotionally and physically I pay a big price for overdoing it, but sometimes I have to. I have no choice. My limitations, like my pain and my other symptoms are invisible, but they are there.

With Multiple Sclerosis, myelin, which is the covering that protects your nerves, deteriorates. Look at it as your nerves being an electrical wire, and wires have protective covering. If the covering is removed, the wire gets a short in it. This is the case with Multiple Sclerosis patients. Your nerves are a wire. The myelin can replace itself, but during the time it has deteriorated and the nerve is exposed, damage is done to the nerves in my body and this damage is not reversible. Thus, causing numbness, pain, tingling and other feelings.

If you want to suggest a cure to me, please don’t. I appreciate the thought. It’s not because I don’t want to get well. If there were a cure, all people with Multiple Sclerosis would know about it. Telling me I need to exercise more or that I just need to lose weight may frustrate me to tears and it is not correct. I work with a doctor and he tells me what to do for my condition.

In so many ways I may depend on you...people who are not sick. I may need you to call and check on me. I might need you to help me do things every now and then. You are my link to "normalcy" of life since I will never be normal again until a cure is found. As much as it’s possible, I need you to understand me.

People with Multiple Sclerosis have different kinds of pains and feelings that are hard to treat. It is not a constant ache in one place like a broken bone. It moves around my body daily and hourly and changes in severity and type. Sometimes it is jabbing and excruciating. Sometimes it is prickly or numb. At times it feels as though electrical shocks are going through the extremities of my body.

Another symptom I have is problems with memory and concentration. This one is very scary. I may tell you something, and thirty minutes later tell you the same thing. Please don’t say, "You already told me that." I also might be trying to tell you something and use a wrong word instead of the word I should have used. This is very embarrassing and aggravating, but normal for people with Multiple Sclerosis. It is a very frightening symptom.

All these symptoms and the chemicals in my brain can get me depressed as you would imagine. I get angry, frustrated and I have mood swings. Sometimes it may seem I am being unreasonable, but I can’t admit it. I know this is a very hard thing about being with me. Every time you put up with me when I am in one of my moods, I am secretly grateful. I can’t always admit it at the time, but I am admitting it now.

I know I asked a lot from you, and I do thank you for listening. It really does mean a lot...

Disclaimer: 'MS Views and News' (MSVN), does not endorse any products or services found on this blog. It is up to you to seek advice from your healthcare provider. The intent of this blog is to provide information on various medical conditions, medications, treatments, and procedures for your personal knowledge and to keep you informed of current health-related issues. It is not intended to be complete or exhaustive, nor is it a substitute for the advice of your physician. Should you or your family members have any specific medical problem, seek medical care promptly.

SYMPTOMS of MS

In multiple sclerosis , damage to the myelin in the central nervous system (CNS), and to the nerve fibers themselves, interferes with the transmission of nerve signals between the brain and spinal cord and other parts of the body. This disruption of nerve signals produces the primary symptoms of MS, which vary depending on where the damage has occurred.

Over the course of the disease, some symptoms will come and go, while others may be more lasting.

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A web-blog (formerly known as Stu's Views and MS News), now published by MS Views and News, a patient advocacy organization. The information on this blog helps to Empower those affected by Multiple Sclerosis globally, with education, information, news and community resources.

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